Creative Community Fact Sheet
December 9, 2020
“Nashville became known as Music City because of the talented community of independent singers, songwriters, and musicians who are now struggling to keep their heads above water. A litany of small businesses that are fighting every day for survival. In this time of fear and uncertainty, it is important that we do not abandon these creators who lift our spirits. With that in mind, I am leading bipartisan team of advocates to ensure that all music industry professionals benefit from the provisions of rescue packages. I thank the Nashville creative community for their resilience and am honored to weather the storm alongside such an extraordinary group of Tennesseans.” – Senator Marsha Blackburn
TIMELINE
DECEMBER 2020
HITS Act
- I introduced the bipartisan Help Independent Tracks Succeed Act with Senator Feinstein (D-Calif.), to allow musicians, technicians, and producers to deduct all of their recording production expenses.
- The bill would allow up to $150,000 in recording production expenses to be deducted in the year they are incurred, rather than over the life of the recording. This will ease the burden on our creative community and foster job creation.
NOVEMBER 2020
SENATE FLOOR SPEECH: COUNTRY MUSIC INDUSTRY
- The live entertainment industry shutdown has negatively impacted many industry professionals through no fault of their own. The industry is at a standstill, and needs targeted relief now. Watch my speech about the economic impact on the country music industry here.
JULY 2020
RESTART Act
- I cosponsored the RESTART Act to help provide partially forgivable loans to businesses that have sustained losses during the COVID-19 pandemic and were unable to receive assistance via the Paycheck Protection Program.
MAY 2020
TARGETED RELIEF LETTER – LIVE ENTERTAINMENT INTDUSTRY
- Along with Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), I led a letter urging Senate leadership to include in future coronavirus response legislation targeted relief for live entertainment industry workers.
APRIL 2020
“This is what Strength Looks Like” Videos
- I worked with singers and songwriters to show our audience examples of what strength truly looks like during trying times.
